Otu Woos Diaspora Investors, Promises Business-Friendly Environment in Cross River

The Cross River State Government has launched an ambitious economic transformation agenda aimed at attracting investors, particularly from the African diaspora, to explore emerging opportunities in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

Governor Bassey Otu made the appeal during the Global United Christian Congress of Africa and the Diaspora (GUCCAD) Investment Forum, held in Calabar on Wednesday. He assured participants of a secure, stable, and profitable environment for business operations, describing Cross River as “an investment haven with near-zero crime rate and abundant natural resources.”

“Cross River State is open for business,” Otu declared. “With our serene environment and vast land area, we offer a fertile ground for agricultural production, industrial development, and sustainable investments.”

The governor outlined several investment priorities, including large-scale cultivation of cocoa, palm oil, rubber, and rice. He also revealed plans to expand the state’s forest reserves by 50% within three years, reinforcing his administration’s “Clean and Green” agenda.

On infrastructure, Otu spotlighted ongoing flagship projects such as the Obudu Cargo and Passenger Airport and the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port, describing them as “transformational ventures” that would reposition Cross River as a major economic hub in West Africa.

The governor further invited investors to explore the state’s rich mineral deposits granite, limestone, barite, and manganese and participate in renewable energy ventures such as solar panel and green component manufacturing.

Reiterating the administration’s tourism drive, Otu urged private investors to join the government through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to revive major attractions like Obudu Mountain Resort, Tinapa Business Resort, and Carnival Calabar.

Supporting the governor’s presentation, the Vice Chairman of the Cross River State Planning Commission, Dr. Bong Duke, unveiled a three-pillar investment strategy tagged “Invest Cross River”. The framework focuses on:

• Agro-Industrial Revolution – promoting value-added processing and linking local farmers with international markets.

• Aviation and Tourism Development – enhancing air connectivity through Cally Air’s fleet expansion and the Calabar International Airport upgrade.

• Auxiliary Industries – advancing renewable energy, education, healthcare, and digital innovation sectors.

Duke emphasized the need for investors to drive industrial growth rather than limit their engagement to remittances. “Do not send remittances, send your ideas. Let’s move from the diaspora narrative to the developer narrative,” he urged.

Chairman of GUCCAD, Prof. Ijeoma Nwosu, commended the Cross River government for its vision and hospitality, noting that delegates from 18 countries participated in the forum. He expressed optimism that diaspora-driven investments would double by the next convention in 2026.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Cross River State Diaspora Commission, Mr. Otu Okor, called on investors to seize the opportunity to build industries that would strengthen the state’s economy.

“Partner with us in shaping a prosperous Cross River,” Okor said. “Together, we can turn our shared vision into tangible progress.”

The event concluded on an optimistic note, with participants reaffirming their commitment to making Cross River a leading investment destination in Africa.